Rewriting The Draft: A Decade Of First-Round 'What-Ifs' for the Senators
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Yahoo!
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The Ottawa Senators' past draft choices have sparked much debate, with fans often pondering the 'what ifs' that could have reshaped the team. From 2013 onwards, the Senators made several notable selections, including Cody Ceci, who ultimately fell short of the expectations set for him as a first-round pick. Ceci's time with the Senators was marked by both promising moments and significant challenges, leaving fans to wonder how different the team might look had they chosen differently.
One glaring missed opportunity was in the 2015 draft, where the Senators opted for Thomas Chabot at 18th overall. While Chabot has become a cornerstone of the franchise, the prospect of missing out on other talents like Mathew Barzal or Brock Boeser raises questions. Could Barzal's playmaking ability have infused the Senators with a dynamic offensive flair that they have been lacking?
The Senators again faced pivotal decisions in 2016, where choosing a player like Charlie McAvoy could have strengthened their defense. Instead, they went with Logan Brown, whose development has not paralleled that of McAvoy, which fans continue to dissect as part of their emotional investment in the team's future. Such comparisons inevitably lead to longing for what could have been, highlighting the critical nature of draft success in the highly competitive NHL landscape.
The Senators' draft history serves as a reminder of the high stakes involved, as teams must not only pick talented players but also anticipate how those athletes will grow and maximize their potential within the organization. With recent improvements in scouting and management, the hope is that the Senators will write a brighter draft story moving forward.
One glaring missed opportunity was in the 2015 draft, where the Senators opted for Thomas Chabot at 18th overall. While Chabot has become a cornerstone of the franchise, the prospect of missing out on other talents like Mathew Barzal or Brock Boeser raises questions. Could Barzal's playmaking ability have infused the Senators with a dynamic offensive flair that they have been lacking?
The Senators again faced pivotal decisions in 2016, where choosing a player like Charlie McAvoy could have strengthened their defense. Instead, they went with Logan Brown, whose development has not paralleled that of McAvoy, which fans continue to dissect as part of their emotional investment in the team's future. Such comparisons inevitably lead to longing for what could have been, highlighting the critical nature of draft success in the highly competitive NHL landscape.
The Senators' draft history serves as a reminder of the high stakes involved, as teams must not only pick talented players but also anticipate how those athletes will grow and maximize their potential within the organization. With recent improvements in scouting and management, the hope is that the Senators will write a brighter draft story moving forward.